Method of in vivo sterilization of surgical implantables

• US 4,027,393 A
• Filed: 09/19/1975
• Issued: 06/07/1977
• Est. Priority Date: 09/19/1975
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: MDT Incorporated, Santa Barbara Research Center Goleta CA
• Original Assignee: Sybron Corporation (Envista Holdings Corporation)
• Inventors: Ellis, Franklin H., Andrews, Stephen W.
• Primary Examiner(s): McNeill, G.E.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Cutting, Robert F.
• Application Number:
  US05/614,911
• Time in Patent Office: 627 Days
• Field of Search: 32/10 A, 32/40 R, 32/1, 32/57, 32/15, 128/303 R, 128/172.1
• US Class Current: 433/173
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0813 Accessories designed for easy sterilising, i.e. re-usable
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/00 Instruments, implements or accessories specially adapted for surgery or diagnosis and not covered by any of the groups A61B1/00 - A61B50/00, e.g. for luxation treatment or for protecting wound edges protective face masks A41D13/11; surgeon's or patient's gowns or dresses A41D13/12; devices for carrying-off, for treatment of, or for carrying-over, body liquids A61M1/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 5/40 Implements for surgical treatment of the roots or nerves of the teeth; Nerve needles; Methods or instruments for medication of the roots

Abstract

Surgical and dental apparatus may be sterilized after implantation in the patient and caused to provide bactericidal effects in the tissue proximate to the apparatus. The apparatus contains silver or is silver coated. A positive current is applied to the apparatus which releases atomic silver into the volume surrounding the apparatus.

Claims

1. A method to sterilize exposed root canals of teeth during endodontic procedures, comprising of the steps of:

inserting a silver post into the root canal to the tip of said root canal; and

applying positive current to said post at a level of approximately one-half to two microamperes for a time sufficient to affect sterilization.

2. A method according to claim 1 wherein said time is approximately one-half hour.